Law enforcement agencies are sending a message to teens that you can't hide.

Using elaborate stings, they are breaking up parties in the desert.

11 News Reporter Chiara Lotierzo has more.

Having a party in the desert isn't illegal, but underage drinking is, and on the Sheriff's Office is cracking down.

Lt. Jim Fogg, incident commander with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, says, “The grant is to specifically target underage drinking and enforce those laws."

It's almost midnight… a plane flying over the desert spots a bon fire and things are set into motion.

Local, state and federal officials have one mission tonight: to stop underage drinking.

Mission accomplished at this party.

“Dude, you are so busted.”

They nabbed 13 teenagers for drinking.

"These kids right there are being detained."

Parties like this are a common target for deputies and even though many people at this desert party are of age.

"You're 21?”

“Right."

But they can still get in trouble.

"Who purchased the keg?"

This man says he did, he was ticketed for not checking ids.

"Whether you’re sure or not, it’s your responsibility to ensure they are."

"We just came out here to have a good time."

Officials say that's fine, have a good time, just don't drink.

"It's not a vindictive thing or to see how many tickets we can write. It’s about telling kids we don't want you to drink,” law enforcement officers say.

Efforts like this are funded in part by a grant made possible through the underage drinking prevention task force.

Officials say you can bet there will be more busts in the future.